Torres stuns Cusumano

By Kurt Wolfheimer

Friday night at Genetti’s Manor, Chris Coyne’s Northeast Boxing brought an entertaining mix of professional boxing, amateur boxing and kickboxing together in one show for the fight fans of the Dickson City PA. A crowd of one thousand eighty came into in to see the long awaited return of popular Old Forge, PA super Anthony “Peanuts” Cusumano after a three year hiatus. Unfortunately for the local brethren, Anthony Cusumano (3-4-1, 2KO’s) never got on track in the main event as Edgardo Torres (2-1, 2KO’s) dropped him once en-route to a stunning first round stoppage.

The fans had eagerly awaited the main event and a raucous cheer let out as the local favorite, Anthony Cusumano entered the ring. Cusumano at the age of thirty-three and having been out of the ring for over three years, needed some time to shake off ring rust that had accumulated in his absence from the ring. Torres knew his chance was to take over the fight early and would not let him breath as he attacked with a wild series of punches from all angles moments after the opening bell. Cusumano attempted to weather the storm and get inside, but he was taking a lot of punches. Finally, after pushing Torres to the ropes, it looked like Cusumano might get off as he went to the body with two good hooks, but Torres under the expert instructions of his corner man and undefeated Thomas “Cornflake” Lamanna (10-0,6KO’s) spun off the ropes and returned fire up top. Cusumano still pushed forward and put him in the corner, but the Old Forge resident made a big mistake and the ring rust showed as he dropped his hands to get real power on a left hand. Eduardo Torres saw the opening and unleashed a picture perfect right cross on the button which deposited Cusumano on the canvas. Cusumano looked on unsteady leg as he rose to his feet at the count of eight. Referee Gary Rosato took a good look in his eyes and allowed him to continue. The heavy flurries from Torres rained down again and this time another right cross in an unanswered four punch combination had Cusumano wobbling and covering in the corner. Referee Gary Rosato had seen enough and called the fight at the 1:47 mark of the opening round. The upset moves Edgardo Torres to a respectable 2-1, 2KO’s

In the co-feature of the evening, another local favorite Stephon Burgette of Dunmore, PA who captured his first victory as a professional after two unsuccessful tries, which evened his record 1-1-1 with a hard fought four round unanimous decision victory over Vineland New Jersey junior welterweight Jamie Gadsen (0-2).

It looked like it might be trouble for Burgette early, as the Gadsen excessive reach advantage allowed Gadsen to jab as he back his way around the ring, controlling the distance. The power though belonged to the heavier handed Dunmore resident, who dug single hooks to the body whenever inside. Finally, at the end of the round Stephon Burgette found his range as he trapped Gadsen in the corner unleashed a heavy flurry as the round came to a close.

Burgette looked to gain more confidence in the second as he move and probing while trying to forge his way inside. Gadsen was stood tall and fought well while on the retreat. Burgette switched his game-plan in mid round and backed up while inviting Gadsen to be the aggressor. It would change the fight as Gadsen was caught with short shots whenever he tried to push the fight.

The heavy handed Burgette went on the offensive early in the third. A short right over a left did the trick which felled the lanky big man. Gadsen looked ready for the taken when he rose to his feet, but Burgette surprisingly let off the gas and chose to walk around the ring and pot shot his way to the bell.

Seemingly ahead on the scorecards, Burgette would not let his guard down and effectively boxed his way to the final bell, only letting go with a strong hook when it was clear he wouldn’t be countered. The fight went to the scorecards and the tallies were as follows: 40-35, 39-36 and 38-37 in favor of Stephon Burgette who evens his record at 1-1-1.

Two other bouts on the show featured four fighters who were making their professional debuts.

In a four round super lightweight contest, local Hawley PA native Anthony Cintron used heavy hooks throughout to out will Cincinnati, Ohio’s Quincy Johnson on his way to a well-earned unanimous decision victory. All three judges gave every round to Cintron by scores of 40-36 x 3.

Fellow Hawley PA native Lamont “Too Smooth” Capers dropped Philly cruiserweight Timothy Hopkins twice on his way to a one sided unanimous decision victory by scores of 40-34 across the board.

A portion of the proceeds were donated to fight for the team which allowed Northeast Promotions to contribute over a 1,000 dollars to benefit the wounded veterans

The matchmaker for the professional boxing portion of the show was none other than “The Boxing Diva” Renee Aikens